Mario Joseph Espinoza

Mario Joseph Espinoza, of Chimayo, New Mexico, passed away on October 12, 2025. He was the sixth child born to Guillermo and Celerina Espinoza. Mario was bright, perceptive, and gifted with words. He read and wrote with unusual depth and curiosity about how life and the world worked, even if he sometimes preferred to watch life unfold rather than follow its rules.

After attending the University of New Mexico, Mario served in the United States Navy and later worked in state government in Santa Fe. Over time, he chose a freer life- one shaped more by his own pace and priorities than by convention.

Mario valued friendship and enjoyed being around people-sharing conversation, laughter, and the comforts they found together. Those who truly knew him understood the gentle and thoughtful man behind his struggles, the one who met the world with honesty and a unique sense of humor.

Mario was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph, and his sister Lorraine. 

He is survived by his brothers John (wife Shahira), Camilo (wife Brenda), Audoro (wife Jennifer) Emmanuel, and sister Lucille (late husband Ron), and nieces and nephews, and friends who will always remember him with love, respect, and gratitude for the light he carried, even in difficult times.

Services are pending.

The family of Mario Espinoza has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   505-747-7477